Agents causing occupational asthma.
The workplace is a significant contributor to the burden of asthma. Although the majority of cases probably represent what is labeled work-exacerbated asthma, in a significant number of subjects, asthma is actually caused by 1 or more agents present in the workplace; this is occupational asthma. Two types of occupational asthma are distinguished, according to whether the asthma appears after a latency period. This article discusses (1) two types of agents causing asthma with a latency period and acting through an apparently immunologic mechanism (high-molecular-weight agents and low-molecular-weight agents) and (2) agents causing asthma without a latency period.
Malo
Jean-Luc
JL
Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal and Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. malojl@meddir.umontreal.ca
Chan-Yeung
Moira
M
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000276:immunology*; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D017132:Workplace
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D000485:Allergens